Edwin Jackson....he pounds the strike zone but I just think too many of his balls are hittable. Does he lead the staff in gopher balls?Jordan Zimmerman....has better stuff than Jackson but he still has the melt down inning that costs dearly if the Nats aren't hitting well that day.

I know that we will rely on these guys but I really have more confidence in Detwiler than either of them.

As far as the bullpen goes, they have been up and down a lot the last couple months....they all make me nervous!

Edwin Jackson is having the best year of his career (strikeout rate well above average, and far less hittable than he has ever been before), one year after he pitched a game in the World Series - a game, and a Series, that his team won. It was actually Jackson's second World Series appearance; in 2008, he pitched two innings in relief, surrendering a solo home run but only one other baserunner.

As for Jordan Zimmermann, I believe he is growing tired after a longer season than he's ever pitched before. But I also believe he is a very good pitcher, and that you spelled his name wrong.

Gio - JZ - Detwiler - Jackson is a very good top 4 that alternates lefty and righty without letting up on the power. I actually believe the key is preserving Detwiler's new tough-guy mentality. If Det shows the competitiveness and endurance he's demonstrated this summer, we will go deep into the playoffs.

As I stated in the post, I know we will be relying on them both but I think Detwiler is more on top of his game lately. Lannon has been a big help but I'm not sure his lack of power will translate to the play offs necasarilly.

Can we reject the rotation that got us the best record in baseball and start fresh with Duke, Maya, Lannan and Atkins?

Your absurd player biases are hilarious sometimes. Lannan doesn't even belong in the same breath as those other guys. I know you don't like him and I'm not saying he's a world-beater, but come on dude. You're doing yourself a massive disservice by continuing to go against the grain just for the sake of it. Let go of the hate.

That is 12 guys so that leaves a normal strength bench. If Burnett is in fact healthy, then it makes sense to drop one of the lefties I think, and it would probably be Lannan given that he doesn't come out of the pen. My idea for Lannan as long relief would be to get him up early to warm up say in a situation where you know your starter is only giving 5 innings (Seems common from our starters) and then he can pitch two to three innings of relief.

I doubt they leave Burnett off, I know he's had his struggles/sore elbow of late, but I think he was more snakebit than anything his last couple of outings.

And you've go to have Lannon on the roster, I think it's very, very risky to go into the post season with only 4 starters, what if a starter (God Forbid, knock wood) gets injured? You going to have Big Sexy start instead?

That is 12 guys so that leaves a normal strength bench. If Burnett is in fact healthy, then it makes sense to drop one of the lefties I think, and it would probably be Lannan given that he doesn't come out of the pen. My idea for Lannan as long relief would be to get him up early to warm up say in a situation where you know your starter is only giving 5 innings (Seems common from our starters) and then he can pitch two to three innings of relief.

Stammen is middle relief. Gorzo can handle long relief if they need to

Your absurd player biases are hilarious sometimes. Lannan doesn't even belong in the same breath as those other guys. I know you don't like him and I'm not saying he's a world-beater, but come on dude. You're doing yourself a massive disservice by continuing to go against the grain just for the sake of it. Let go of the hate.

Way to miss the point!

I just listed the 2012 Syracuse rotation. I wasn't cracking on Lannan. But have at it.

In case you didn't notice, which obviously you did not... I was calling out the posters that want to replace the main reason the Nats are where they are. I simply named the 2012 AAA rotation and said swap them with the MLB rotation.